an article by Susan Milner (University of Bath) published in European Journal of Industrial Relations Volume 18 Number 3 (September 2012)
Abstract
The flexicurity approach to labour market policy may offer advantages for trade unions but also poses challenges, given their weak situation in policy formulation at EU level and in many member states.
This article explores unions’ capacity to mobilise around flexicurity issues and to influence policy debates and outcomes in two member states.
In the UK, flexicurity has low political salience and unions have little capacity for mobilisation or influence, although they have linked flexicurity to campaigns on agency workers and restructuring.
In France, unions have developed alternative proposals on making employment pathways secure and have succeeded in shifting debate towards these proposals rather than the Commission’s flexicurity recommendations, although differences with the positions of employers and the state have limited outcomes to date.
EU policies provide only weak leverage, since trade unions’ ability to influence labour market policy depends on their position within domestic institutions.
Related post
Flexicurity under the spotlight
Friday, 21 September 2012
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Library Catalogues of the Future: A Social Space and Collaborative Tool?
an article by Laurel Tarulli and Louise F. Spiteri (affiliation(s) not provided) published in Library Trends Volume 61 Number 1 (Summer 2012)
Abstract
Next-generation catalogues are providing opportunities for library professionals and users to interact, collaborate, and enhance core library functions.
Technology, innovation, and creativity are all components that are merging to create a localised, online social space that brings our physical library services and experiences into an online environment.
While patrons are comfortable creating user-generated information on commercial websites and social media websites, library professionals should be exploring alternative methods of use for these tools within the library setting.
Can the library catalogue promote remote readers’ advisory services and act as a localized “Google”?
Will patrons or library professionals be the driving force behind user-generated content within our catalogues?
How can cataloguers be sure that the integrity of their bibliographic records is protected while inviting additional data sources to display in our catalogues?
As library catalogues bring our physical library services into the online environment, catalogues also begin to encroach or “mash-up” with other areas of librarianship that have not been part of a cataloguer’s expertise. Using library catalogues beyond their traditional role as tools for discovery and access raises issues surrounding the expertise of library professionals and the benefits of collaboration between frontline and backroom staff.
Abstract
Next-generation catalogues are providing opportunities for library professionals and users to interact, collaborate, and enhance core library functions.
Technology, innovation, and creativity are all components that are merging to create a localised, online social space that brings our physical library services and experiences into an online environment.
While patrons are comfortable creating user-generated information on commercial websites and social media websites, library professionals should be exploring alternative methods of use for these tools within the library setting.
Can the library catalogue promote remote readers’ advisory services and act as a localized “Google”?
Will patrons or library professionals be the driving force behind user-generated content within our catalogues?
How can cataloguers be sure that the integrity of their bibliographic records is protected while inviting additional data sources to display in our catalogues?
As library catalogues bring our physical library services into the online environment, catalogues also begin to encroach or “mash-up” with other areas of librarianship that have not been part of a cataloguer’s expertise. Using library catalogues beyond their traditional role as tools for discovery and access raises issues surrounding the expertise of library professionals and the benefits of collaboration between frontline and backroom staff.
Employment stable in the euro area and up by 0.1% in the EU27
via Eurostat News releases
The number of persons employed remained stable in the euro area (EA17) and increased by 0.1% in the EU27 in the second quarter of 2012 compared with the previous quarter, according to national accounts estimates published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the first quarter of 2012, employment fell by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27. These figures are seasonally adjusted.
Full text (PDF 4pp)
The number of persons employed remained stable in the euro area (EA17) and increased by 0.1% in the EU27 in the second quarter of 2012 compared with the previous quarter, according to national accounts estimates published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the first quarter of 2012, employment fell by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27. These figures are seasonally adjusted.
Full text (PDF 4pp)
Families, communities and social change: then and now
an article by Nickie Charles (Centre for the Study of Women and Gender, University of Warwick) published in The Sociological Review (Special Issue: Community re-studies and social change) Volume 60 Issue 3 (August 2012)
Abstract
At the beginning of the 1960s, Colin Rosser and Chris Harris worked together on a community study in Swansea, south Wales, UK. It explored how families, in particular extended families, had been affected by social change since the early years of the 20th century.
The re-study, which began in 2001, investigated the nature of social change and how it had affected extended families in the four decades since 1960. Research that is framed in terms of contemporary sociological theory asks different questions from those that were asked in the 1950s when structural functionalism was the dominant paradigm.
The re-study, which replicated (as far as possible) the methodology of the original study, asked similar questions to those that had been asked in 1960. This meant that, inadvertently, it relied on a Durkheimian conception of society and social change.
In this article I explore some of the methodological implications of asking the same research questions 40 years apart and reflect on how the two studies differ in the way they address issues of ‘race’/ethnicity, gender and social class.
I suggest that asking the same questions allows an appreciation of the continuities as well as changes in how family and community are experienced.
Abstract
At the beginning of the 1960s, Colin Rosser and Chris Harris worked together on a community study in Swansea, south Wales, UK. It explored how families, in particular extended families, had been affected by social change since the early years of the 20th century.
The re-study, which began in 2001, investigated the nature of social change and how it had affected extended families in the four decades since 1960. Research that is framed in terms of contemporary sociological theory asks different questions from those that were asked in the 1950s when structural functionalism was the dominant paradigm.
The re-study, which replicated (as far as possible) the methodology of the original study, asked similar questions to those that had been asked in 1960. This meant that, inadvertently, it relied on a Durkheimian conception of society and social change.
In this article I explore some of the methodological implications of asking the same research questions 40 years apart and reflect on how the two studies differ in the way they address issues of ‘race’/ethnicity, gender and social class.
I suggest that asking the same questions allows an appreciation of the continuities as well as changes in how family and community are experienced.
Youth representatives’ opinions on recruiting and representing young workers: A twofold unsatisfied demand?
an article by Kurt Vandaele (European Trade Union Institute, Brussels) published in European Journal of Industrial Relations Volume 18 Number 3 (September 2012)
Abstract
Unionisation levels are far lower among young workers than for the workforce in general. How can trade unions become more responsive to their particular interests and needs?
Union confederations, even in countries with decentralised union structures, have the potential to take effective initiatives to facilitate and support new organising strategies targeted at young workers, for example by spreading knowledge, practical skills and vision of relevance for improving the representation and recruitment of young workers.
Yet the survey findings reported here show that youth representatives across Europe find their confederations’ responsiveness and commitment to organising to be inadequate. Their dissatisfaction confirms previous research findings concerning young workers and their unfulfilled desire for unionisation.
Abstract
Unionisation levels are far lower among young workers than for the workforce in general. How can trade unions become more responsive to their particular interests and needs?
Union confederations, even in countries with decentralised union structures, have the potential to take effective initiatives to facilitate and support new organising strategies targeted at young workers, for example by spreading knowledge, practical skills and vision of relevance for improving the representation and recruitment of young workers.
Yet the survey findings reported here show that youth representatives across Europe find their confederations’ responsiveness and commitment to organising to be inadequate. Their dissatisfaction confirms previous research findings concerning young workers and their unfulfilled desire for unionisation.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Excuses, excuses, excuses
Actually I think these are more “reasons” but we are not going to argue, are we?
First
I had to get up at what was, for me, a completely unheard of time of day to take one of my two dogs for a long walk and then to the vet to be spayed. Did a bit of shopping on the way back.
Second
Having got home and had one, and only one, cup of coffee and a bite to eat, read a few emails and updated Facebook (I have the feed the addictions on a daily basis) I set out to walk to the GP’s surgery.
Long wait because something had gone wrong with the booking system but well worth it as I have been referred for some psychological support in view of the “wobble” I experienced a couple of weeks ago.
Went to the bank on the way home, had lunch and thought “now I have time to turn two or three drafts into posts”.
Wrong!!
Third
Vet has phoned to say the dog is fine. Please come and collect in an hour. Since it takes half an hour to walk there I will need to leave fairly soon. Another cuppa and that will be my limit.
First
I had to get up at what was, for me, a completely unheard of time of day to take one of my two dogs for a long walk and then to the vet to be spayed. Did a bit of shopping on the way back.
Second
Having got home and had one, and only one, cup of coffee and a bite to eat, read a few emails and updated Facebook (I have the feed the addictions on a daily basis) I set out to walk to the GP’s surgery.
Long wait because something had gone wrong with the booking system but well worth it as I have been referred for some psychological support in view of the “wobble” I experienced a couple of weeks ago.
Went to the bank on the way home, had lunch and thought “now I have time to turn two or three drafts into posts”.
Wrong!!
Third
Vet has phoned to say the dog is fine. Please come and collect in an hour. Since it takes half an hour to walk there I will need to leave fairly soon. Another cuppa and that will be my limit.
Monday, 17 September 2012
Using and Sharing LMI to Inform Future Choices
This practical guide authored by Abigail Diamond, Simon Bysshe, Lindsey Bowes and Sophie Spong is published by UKCES (UK Commission for Employment and Skills) for managers in career organisations that want to improve the way that advisers use and share career related LMI.
The guide identifies five areas that organisations wishing improve their organisational practice can focus on:
Effective career guidance is underpinned by robust information and intelligence about the labour market. Good LMI helps advisers to answer questions such as ‘what is the age and gender of people in different parts of the labour market?’, ‘where are the jobs in my local area?’, ‘what skills do I need to do a particular job?’, ‘what am I likely to earn in a particular job?’ There are numerous sources of LMI but it can be difficult for advisers to know what the best source is and where to access this.
The UK Commission carried out work to identify the organisations that are using and sharing career-related LMI effectively and has published a series of reports. This report is a practical guide for managers in careers organisations that want to improve the way that career-related LMI is used and shared. It draws on the experience of people working in the field and provides examples. Names and contact details are included so that users of the guide who would like further information can contact them.
Full report (PDF 30pp)
The other reports available are a research report (PDF 58pp) which includes the 12 detailed case studies and a summary (PDF 6pp) of the first stage of the research which identifies some of the challenges and issues for advisers.
The guide identifies five areas that organisations wishing improve their organisational practice can focus on:
- vision and strategy
- partnerships
- systems and processes
- resources
- professional development.
Effective career guidance is underpinned by robust information and intelligence about the labour market. Good LMI helps advisers to answer questions such as ‘what is the age and gender of people in different parts of the labour market?’, ‘where are the jobs in my local area?’, ‘what skills do I need to do a particular job?’, ‘what am I likely to earn in a particular job?’ There are numerous sources of LMI but it can be difficult for advisers to know what the best source is and where to access this.
The UK Commission carried out work to identify the organisations that are using and sharing career-related LMI effectively and has published a series of reports. This report is a practical guide for managers in careers organisations that want to improve the way that career-related LMI is used and shared. It draws on the experience of people working in the field and provides examples. Names and contact details are included so that users of the guide who would like further information can contact them.
Full report (PDF 30pp)
The other reports available are a research report (PDF 58pp) which includes the 12 detailed case studies and a summary (PDF 6pp) of the first stage of the research which identifies some of the challenges and issues for advisers.
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